Below are recordings of some past Kirtans. The MP3 files are much smaller and should start playing almost immediately. The WAV files take a bit longer to download, but they're worth it.

The chanting booklet has words for all the chants and includes a guide to Sanskrit pronounciation. It's formatted for 8 1/2 x 14 and you can download a copy here: ChantBook.pdf


In the words of Vyaas Houston, founder of the American Sanskrit Institute:

"Sanskrit is the language of mantra, words of power subtly attuned to the unseen harmonies of the matrix of creation. Its effectiveness as a language of meditation and yoga relies largely on correct pronunciation, and the attention given to it. Sanskrit's power is also greatly enhanced by a direct understanding of its words and meanings."


Enjoy!

– Rick



Kripalu – August 2009


This was such a magical night with so many great musicians and over 60 people chanting! I hope you enjoy listening to these tracks and can join us one evening in Amherst or Greenfield.

Rick Roberts (harmonium)
Gurucharan (tabla)
Mike Jarjoura (sitar)
Kevin Germain (yayli tanbur, oud)
Melanie Hedlund (vocals)
Divya Shinn (cymbals, vocals)
Dona O'Dou (tamboura)

First, Melanie sang a beautiful alap at the beginning, leading into the first chant:
Alap MP3

The first 3 chants are grouped together on this track:
Shree Ram, Om Guru and Govinda MP3

Then a beautiful version of Govinda Jaya Jaya came back to life after the first Govinda Jaya Jaya ended:
Govinda Jaya Jaya MP3

Finaly, Kevin played a very moving alap leading into the last few chants:
Hara Hara Gurudev, Krishna Govinda MP3





Green River Yoga – June 2009

Rick Roberts (harmonium), Gurucharan (tabla), Divya Shinn (vocals) and Dona O'Dou (tamboura)

Also joining us this month was Wendy Rezzonico and Sophie Goodenough. They lead Kirtan in New Hampshire and you can hear Wendy's beautifully harmonizing voice and Sophie's ecstatic cymbal playing on these tracks.

Gopala MP3
Chitchora Yashoda ke bal MP3
Om Namah Shivaya MP3





Yoga Center Amherst – March 7 2009

Rick Roberts (harmonium), Kevin Germain (yayli tanbur), Gurucharan (tabla), Divya Shinn (vocals) and Dona O'Dou (tamboura)

This chant is Marilyn's favorite, but she wasn't here this month, but we do it often!

Hara Hara Gurudev MP3

Yoga Center Amherst – Feb 7 2009

Rick Roberts (harmonium), Kevin Germain (yayli tanbur), Gurucharan (tabla), Marilyn Hart (cymbals), Divya Shinn (vocals) and Lucy Hemmendinger (tamboura)

Krishna Govinda WAV or MP3
Govinda Jaya Jaya WAV or MP3
Ganesha Sharanam WAV or MP3

Green River Yoga – Jan 17 2009

Rick Roberts (harmonium), Warrick Moses (clarinet), Bob Weiner (percussion), Marilyn Hart (cymbals), Divya Shinn (vocals) and Dona O'Dou (tamboura)

Govinda Jaya Jaya MP3
Chitchora Yashoda ke bal MP3

Yoga Center Amherst – Dec 6th 2008

Rick Roberts (harmonium), Kevin Germain (yayli tanbur) and Dona O'Dou (tamboura)

Opening Mantra MP3
Govinda Jaya Jaya MP3
Om Namah Shivaya MP3


Opening Mantra

This chant is the invocation for the Yajur Veda, one of the ancient texts of the Vedic tradition. We begin every Kirtan with this chant which is raditionally chanted at the opening and closing of a teaching.

saha navavatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha viryam karavavahai
tejasvi navadhitamastu
ma vidvishavahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

May both of us together be protected.
May both of us together be nourished.
May we work together with great energy.
May our study together be brilliant and effective.
May we not hate or dispute with each other.
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.



Om Namah Shivaya

Om, I (the chanter) bow to my inner Self

Every Kirtan ends with a short period of silent meditation. Om Namah Shivaya leads the way into meditation.
Page updated Aug 7, 2009
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